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New Welding Table

I haven't been active over here much (usually spend my time over on the Motorsports forum) but I thought this project would fit better here. This is a welding table I just completed after more than a year of having the material and some of the parts. It has a 1/2" x 4' X 4' top, 2" X 2" corner posts, and 1 1/2" stringers. Most of you are probably going to think this was overkill but I have had this design in my head for a while now and wanted to see how it would turn out.

The first pic is a shot of it all fixtured up and "square" on the platen at one of my client's shop. Welding commences.

Next is the frame welded up enough to get it off of the platen.

The next one is of the table, back in my shop, with the casters bolted on and the rest of the welding completed.

The next pic is the intersteing part of the table design. I strategically placed 16 bushings in the top stringer section of the frame. They will each hold a 5/8" coarse thread bolt that has had the head machined flat. They will all be placed at the same height and then the top will be tacked to each one on two of the opposing hex flats. The idea was that I should be able to get a pretty flat top this way, especially since my plate is cupped approximately 3/16" to 1/4".

The last shot is of one of the bolt heads, after machining, in the lathe.

The first shot here is a group (hug) shot of all the bolts set into the frame. I have not leveled them to each other yet but that is the next step.

Second pic is after I got the top on the table.

The third pic is a view of a piece of angle I welded on one side to hang grinders. If you notice, you can also see how much clearance I have from the frame to the underside of the top. It is approximately 2 1/4". I have a couple of deep reach "F" or "L" style clamps and having this clearance will alow me to get those, or some shop made ones, deeper into the table. You can also see just how much edge clamping surface I have with the two clamps in the upper left of the pic, approximately 7 inches.

The fourth pic is of the expanded metal shelf. I used a couple of 1" square tube cross braces in the middle and then some 1/2" X 1/2" X 1/8" angle around the perimeter. I set them all down the thickness of the epanded metal so it will just drop in. I may tack it in later but will see how this works for now.

The last pic is just a close-up of the bottom shelf. The table stands 37" high from floor to top surface and is just perfect for my height. It make it very nice if I have to stand and is just perfect for sitting on a 29" height stool.

I am finished for now and will just use it as is and see what sort of doodads I feel it needs as time goes by. Enjoy!

One question, do you have provision for "re-leveling" the top, say after a year of use and some heat warping the 1/2" plate some?

Also how do you like the design now that you have been working with it? Would you make any changes to the one I plan on making?

I use Bessey clamps when ever I can so I really appreciate the top being lifted.
What is the final height of the top?

Thanks in advance for your answers

Keep up the great work.

TJ
aka Fat ******* of Alaska

Right now the top is just floating. I am giving it a little time before I tack it down to make sure everything is how I like it and to see if any other issues arise. I may end up replacing the bolts with leveling pads, like the first one in this link: http://www.sunnexonline.com/mounts/LS-LP-series.htm and that will allow me to tweak the top as needed over time.

I have only had it in it's current state for less than a week but so far I love it. The overall height from floor to top is approximately 37 inches. It suits my height perfectly and allows me to stand comfortably as well as sit on a standard 29" high stool.